Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

We at OHC like to be at the forefront of sharing educational information about hearing and hearing loss. Whether it be about what’s the best hearing aid for you, or new information coming in about the causes of hearing loss, we are here to support you.

We have been really loving the information we are finding through CaptionCall, a company that makes the world’s best captioning telephone designed to help people with hearing loss and staying connected with loved ones, conduct important business, and best of all, maintain confident communications for a longer, happier, healthier life.

They recently posted a blog about sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and we thought we’d just go ahead and share it rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, as what they have here is great information and well presented. Thanks, CaptionCall!

What is a sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a hearing loss that occurs suddenly and rapidly within a day or a few days. It may also be known as sudden deafness. It affects the inner ear and/or auditory nerve. Incidents of sudden sensorineural hearing loss are usually unilateral (one ear only).

SSHL is defined by a loss of 30 decibels of hearing or more at three consecutive frequencies occurring within three days or less.

What causes sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

Thought to be viral in origin, sudden sensorineural hearing loss is most often unexplained. You have a greater chance of experiencing a sudden sensorineural hearing loss if you are between the ages of 40 to 60.

Other causes of a sudden sensorineural hearing loss may include:

Trauma to the head

Autoimmune disease

Circulation problems

Neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis

Infectious disease

Ototoxicity

Meniere’s disease

In most cases, the cause of the SSHL is not identifiable.

What are the symptoms of SSHL?

The most noticeable symptom of sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a sudden decline in hearing in one ear or both. Some people notice this when they wake up in the morning or when holding the telephone to the ear.

Other symptoms of SSHL include tinnitus in the affected ear, a feeling or pressure of the ear, and dizziness and/or severe imbalance. Some people also note hearing a “pop” in their ear right before the hearing declines.

How is sudden sensorineural hearing loss diagnosed?

To diagnose a sudden sensorineural hearing loss, a hearing evaluation needs to be performed. This will be used to determine whether the hearing loss is truly a sensorineural hearing loss or whether it is due to another cause such as wax build-up or otitis media. The hearing evaluation will also be used to determine the degree of impairment and monitor any change during the course of treatment.

An otolaryngologist may also recommend further tests to determine the underlying cause of the hearing loss. This may include blood tests and an MRI.

How is SSHL treated?

Spontaneous recovery of hearing may occur in some cases, usually occurring within the first 2 weeks.

Treatment with corticosteroids have been shown to be the most effective at treating SSHL. These may be recommended to be taken orally or injected by the physician into the ear. The sooner it is treated once detected, the greater chance of recovery. For this reason, a sudden sensorineural hearing loss is considered a medical emergency, and treatment should occur by an otolaryngologist or otologist as soon as possible.

If an underlying problem such as infection or autoimmune disease is determined to be the cause of the SSHL, other medications may be recommended to manage these conditions.

A positive response to treatment will depend on how quickly it is treated, as well as the age of the patient. The younger the patient, the greater likelihood of full recovery.

If a sudden sensorineural hearing loss does not improve with medical treatment, the effects of the hearing loss can be managed with the use of hearing technology. This may include a traditional hearing aid, Soundbite hearing system, bone-anchored hearing aid, or a BICROS/CROS hearing aid if the ear is un-aidable with traditional hearing aids.

Does sudden sensorineural hearing loss cause lasting problems?

A sudden sensorineural hearing loss that does not improve with treatment can affect communication and the ability to understand speech, especially in noisy environments. It can also cause balance issues, as well as permanent tinnitus. Hearing technology and rehabilitation can be used to help alleviate some of these long-term issues.

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By visiting our website, you have taken an important step on the road to a better quality of life. With almost 40 million Americans having hearing loss, you are taking a courageous step to make an effort to help you on your journey to better hearing.

Addressing your hearing loss early has many benefits including the understanding that you “hear” with your brain, not just your ears. By delaying improving your hearing with technology, makes it harder for the connections in your brain to respond and recognize sound. Hearing aids provide the sound stimulation needed for the brain to process what you are hearing and for you to have a richer, fuller life.

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